PLDT through PLDT SME Nation partner with Microsoft launched Digital Campus Suite

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The nation’s leading telecommunication and multi-media service provider Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), through its business unit PLDT SME Nation, and partnered with Global IT giant Microsoft Philippines, had launched the "Digital Campus Suite" a new service package that will enable students, academe and even their parents access to online learning programs and to earn  Information Technology certification for critical IT skills that are now in demand in today’s digitally driven industries.

Through the Digital Campus Suite, schools and universities will have high-speed connectivity with PLDT myDSL Biz or iGate, an online access to training courses of the Microsoft IT Academy Program.

PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan

Last Wednesday, August 26, 2015, during the Digital Campus Suite launched held at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel, PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan shared “We at PLDT are confident that this partnership can significantly contribute to enriching the digital content of Philippine education. By enabling schools through these programs, we are helping them, both educator and student, to gain new critical skills and lean IT courses with globally competitive technology programs that have become essential in today’s digital workplace.”

Though the Digital Campus Suite, schools will have high-speed connectivity with PLDT myDSL Biz or iGate and online access to training courses of the Microsoft IT Academy Program. 

Schools will receive licenses to Microsoft Office 365 to help students and teachers interact and teach using Cloud tools and platforms.

Educators and students will have access to the digital curriculum and earn IT certifications in the Microsoft IT Academy Program for fundamental technology skills, as well as courses that enable students to become more competitive for employment.

The suite also includes laptops, tablets, and WiFi access points in campus to enhance the overall digital education experience.

PLDT SME Nation, Microsoft and COCOPEA have joined forces for a digital innovation that will help change the landscape of Philippine education. In photo, from left, are: PLDT EVP and ePLDT President and CEO Eric Alberto, PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, COCOPEA Chair Bro. Jun Erguiza, FSC, Ed. D, Microsoft Philippines Country Manager Karrie Ilagan, PLDT President and CEO Napoleon L. Nazareno, PLDT SME Nation FVP and Head of SME Business Kat Luna-Abelarde and APAC Education Partner Director Rani Burchmore.

A study conducted by International Data Corporation (IDC) revealed that increased spending on IT cloud services will open up an estimated 14-million new jobs worldwide. The same report also noted that there was an apparent “widening ICT professional skills gap” and a “shortage of skills” in the Asia-Pacific region.

PLDT is very active in partnering with schools and learning institutions to built their technology and connectivity resources in support of the education sector’s need to improve ICT learning among the students and academe.

Kat Luna-Abelarde

PLDT FVP and head of SME Business Kat Luna-Abelarde said “This initiative fully aligns with PLDT SME Nation’s efforts to empower the future generation with an ICT-enabled education system. ICT skills are no longer just added value to employment but are now necessities in today’s business and entrepreneurial landscape.” 

“An educated population is what we need to build a progressive Philippine economy, but we can’t educate tomorrow’s leaders with tools from the past. The increasingly competitive workplace is being driven by technology and digital literacy, and the Digital Campus Suite gives educators and students access to tools that will build their capability to excel in that environment. Our partnership with PLDT SME Nation helps us create a bigger impact on all aspects of education,” said Microsoft Philippines General Manager Karrie Ilagan.

Photos: Arts & Travel Magazine

Scarvivors keep stories with hope and courage, not scars

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A scar is a permanent patch of skin that grows over a wound. It forms when your body heals itself after a cut, scrape, burn, or sore. Scars usually fade over time but never go away completely. Although scars are permanent, they can fade over a period of up to two years. It is unlikely they will fade any more after this time.

Scarring can be very distressing, can lead to feelings of depression and affecting their daily activities.

Scars may be a reminder of pain and personal tragedy. However, scars are also a sign of healing wounds. They are a testament to an individual’s courage and resilience. Scars mean closure on whatever pain and tragedy has happened, and it is something that can be visually improved as part of the healing process. 

Scarvivor, is an advocacy from the country’s leading scar management brand Contractubex (Extractum Cepae + Heparin + Allantoin), in support of the burn centers of the Philippines, and the Philippine Association of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons (PAPRAS) mission. As part of the advocacy, Contractubex proudly shares inspirational and life-changing stories from 6 courageous SCARvivors.

Nikoy de Guzman

“There were issues with those big scars, particularly after my first modified radical mastectomy when I was just 28. Then, I realized It’s about getting well. What you went through. And getting over that,” says Nikoy de Guzman, who has undergone a double mastectomy.

Sherilyn Bruan

“Hindi ka lang scarred physically. Pati yung self-esteem mo natamaan. Nung time na yun, I didn’t want people looking at my scars. Ngayon, I know there’s more about me than my scars,” shares Sherilyn Bruan, a survivor of the Ozone Disco fire.

Giboy Billena

“My scars are very big and my left leg was deformed. It was a very difficult experience, but with the help of many loving people especially my Mom and Dad, I am now on my road to complete recovery,” says Giboy Billena, a 13-year- old bone cancer survivor.

Rubylyn Cua Rodel

“Dahil sa scars, dati binubully ako. Sinusulatan yung libro ko ng sunog. Ganun. Pero hindi ko hinayaang masira ang buhay ko,” says Rubylyn Cua Rodel, who got burned in an accident.

Dwight Bayona

“My experience has been a painful struggle. But I didn’t let it hinder me from doing the things I wanted to do. I want others to know that you can be so much more than your scars. Just trust yourself and your will to fight,” shares Dwight Bayona, a racer who lost his leg in an accident. 

Richard Tagapan

“Ang mahalaga, muli akong makabalik sa aking tungkulin. Dala ng paninilbihan ang sugat na ito, nagbibigay sa akin ng lakas ng loob,” according to Richard Tagapan, a PNP SAF officer injured in the line of duty.

The Scarvivors event press launch on August 27, 2015, 10 am at Amici Restaurant, features talks from Dr Jose Joven Cruz, President of PAPRAS; Dr. Dorothy Dy Ching Bing, Burn Rehabilitation Consultant on burn centers in the Philippines; and Nikoy De Guzman, one of the SCARvivors, for the closing remarks. 

The SCARvivor exhibit at Exhibit Space 3, UGF Building A, SM Megamall runs from August 27, 2015 to September 2, 2015. 

We encourage you to be part of the advocacy by visiting the exhibit and extending your support to other SCARvivors out there.

You can also support the SCARvivor advocacy by purchasing Contractubex. For every Contractubex purchased, patients from selected burn centers will be given their own SCARvivor Kit. This is in line with the commitment of Contractubex to helping patients manage scars, so that someday, being SCARvivors themselves, only their stories of hope and courage remain.

Photos: Arts & Travel Magazine

MIIS students win top prize at the International Science Enterprise Challenge

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(From left) Miranda Bernadette Panaguiton, Alannah Kirsten Mitra, Sabine Chiongbian, Mathena Rain Rodas, Gianina Marie Gabrielle Reyes, Francine Mae Mamba, and Glenn Angelo Joven

High school students from the Multiple Intelligence International School (MIIS) bagged the top prize at the International Science Enterprise Challenge (ISEC) 2015 held recently, besting other schools from Singapore, Japan, Russia, Guam, Indonesia, Mongolia, Thailand, and Turkey. Kaisei High School in Japan was second place

The MIIS students who competed were Sabine Chiongbian, Glenn Angelo Joven, Francine Mae Mamba, Alannah Kirsten Mitra, Miranda Bernadette Panaguiton, Gianina Marie Gabrielle Reyes, and Mathena Rain Rodas.

A 24-hour competition for high school students from all over the world, ISEC challenges the participants’ knowledge and skills in both science and business to come up with a sustainable solution to a particular problem. The challenge is announced the same day to teams composed of three to nine members. Within 24 hours, the students have to come up with prototype, a business plan and a 3-minute video to be presented to an international board of judges. The Surya Institute and United in Diversity in Indonesia, together with the Young Entrepreneur Center in Singapore, started ISEC (then called ASEAN Science Enterprise Challenge) in 2009.

The MI students with their winning entry BioBox. (From left) Miranda Bernadette Panaguiton, Gianina Marie Gabrielle Reyes, Glenn Angelo Joven, Sabine Chiongbian, Mathena Rain Rodas, Francine Mae Mamba, and Alannah Kirsten Mitra.

For their winning entry, the MIIS students submitted a BioBox, which provides an easy, efficient way to conserve and save water, money and space. It utilizes and combines the concepts of vertical farming, terrariums, dome collectors, and water tables. Terrariums simulate the water cycle, thus making it a self-sufficient ecosystem that recycles and reuses water as well. Dome collectors gather and store rainwater for uses such as drinking, bathing, washing, watering, and the likes. Water tables collect excess water that seeps into the ground from rain and runoff. By combining all these concepts together, BioBox creates an efficient use of water while creating an organic, natural, and eco-friendly way to farm. Some crops that can be farmed in the BioBox are cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, garden cress, bok choy, brocolli, brussel sprouts, and similar green leafy vegetables.

“We are thankful and very proud of our students for bringing another honor to MIIS. This is truly a testament to what the MI school has been initiating to help prepare Filipino kids to be globally competitive and future ready. By using their multiple intelligences, our youth indeed has what it takes to engage the international community with their innovative, creative, and socially relevant ideas,” says Joy Canon-Abaquin, Founding Directress of the Multiple Intelligence International School.

Early this year, MIIS won Global 3rd place in the 14th Global Enterprise Challenge. The MIIS team competed against 28 teams from 13 countries from the US, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

DepEd Region I conducts career guidance for incoming SHS students in 2016

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To further strengthen the goal of K to 12 Program in producing graduates equipped with skills that will prepared them for higher education, employment and entrepreneurship, the Department of Education (DepEd) Region I and Grade 10 students of Pangasinan participated in the 2015 Regional Career Guidance Info Blitz held recently.

DepEd Region I Education Program Supervisor (EPS) of the Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD) Dr. Arlene A. Niro highlighted the benefits of the K to 12 program in the pursuit of career advancement and opportunities, saying that the K to12 Basic Education Curriculum “will be sufficient to prepare students for work and slowly erase the common thinking that college is the only route for success and gainful employment.”

Niro added that through the program, students are given the opportunity to acquire Certificates of Competency (COC’s) and National Certificates (NC’s) in accordance with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training regulations, allowing graduates to have middle-level skills which will offer them better opportunities to be gainfully employed. 

Niro also mentioned that there will be school-industry partnership for the technical-vocational (tech-voc) track to allow students to gain work experience while studying, and offer opportunity to be absorbed by the companies.

The said event is part of the Career Guidance Advocacy Program (CGAP), which aims to provide students with relevant labor market information and career guidance to assist them in choosing their career path. The CGAP is composed of technical working groups - the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as the Chair, with DepEd, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), TESDA, and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) as members. The CGAP shall be implemented nationwide through a series of activities set to help students in choosing their Senior High School track.

Among the high schools that participated in the Career Guidance Info Blitz were Buenlag National High School (NHS), Doyong-Malabago NHS, and Lasip NHS in Calasiao; Banaoang NHS and Matic-Matic NHS in Sta. Barbara; Bonuan Boquig NHS, Federico N. Ceralde Integrated School (IS), and Judge Jose de Venecia, Sr. MNHS in Dagupan City; Domalandan Center IS, Estanza NHS and Malawa IS in Lingayen; Bugallon IS, Portic IS and Salomague NHS in Bugallon; Real NHS and Galarin NHS in Urbiztondo; Labrador NHS and Ramon Magsaysay IS in Labrador; Camaley NHS, Dulag NHS and Parayao NHS in Binmaley; Sanlibo NHS and Tococ NHS in Bayambang; Guelew IS, Libas NHS, Bacnar NHS, and Lilimasan NHS in San Carlos.

Leon Gallery's Magnificent September Auction 2015 highlights early works with fascinating histories; Rare finds, Objet d'art, and Contemporary pieces

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Early works with fascinating histories; Rare finds, Objet d'art, and Contemporary pieces highlight Leon Gallery's Magnificent September Auction 2015.

For the Magnificent September Auction 2015 of Leon Gallery located at the G/F, Eurovilla 1, Rufino corner Legazpi Streets, Legazpi Village, Makati City, happening on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at 2 PM, art pieces with fascinating histories, early works from first solo-exhibitions, Objet d'art, and cutting-edge contemporary works highlight this much-awaited sale.

Two artworks from the respective early shows of Anita Magsaysay-Ho – “Boti! Garapa!” circa 1946 – and Benedicto Cabrera – “Scavenger” from 1966 – each with fascinating histories and back stories, are sure to delight discriminating collectors.

As part of the post-war rehabilitation efforts of the Commonwealth government of President Sergio Osmena, with the aim to reconstruct our damaged cultural institutions and the “renascent vigor of Philippine culture,” an exhibition of paintings of Anita Magsaysay-Ho – 47 artworks in all, including the oil on wood work “Boti! Garapa!” – was held at the United States Information Library in Intramuros on February 23 to March 10, 1946 with First Lady Esperanza Osmena as Guest of Honor during the opening reception. 

Galo B. Ocampo, who at that time was the Chief of the Art Section, Office of the President, and incidentally, her classmate at UP, described the choice of Anita thus: “In the paintings of Miss Magsaysay, one sees an exceptionally gifted artist who will go on hurdling the obstacles that stand on the way.”

Meanwhile in 1966, all of 24 years old, Benedicto Cabrera – or Bencab as the artist is more popularly known – together with his brother Salvador and friends Bibsy Carballo and Francisco Navarro, opened the Indigo Gallery in Mabini with his first solo show of some sixteen artworks, including this piece “Scavenger”. 

Debuting as well at this juncture was "Sabel" – the most recognized subject to appear in Bencab's canvas, a real life vagabond who used to roam around Bambang district in Sampaloc where the artist grew up. 

It is fascinating to note that Magsaysay-Ho's “Boti! Garapa!” was retrieved from a garage sale for the trifling sum of 20 US dollars and Bencab's “Scavenger” was found at a Salvation Army sale for 4.99 US dollars! 

An untitled work by Juan Luna – signed and dated 1884, oil on canvas – and featuring a comely European lady depicted in full figure in the formal dress of the time, bares importance. It was acquired by National Artist Carlos Quirino, then the aid-de-camp of President Elpidio Quirino, during the latters State Visit to Spain in 1951.

Two pieces by Romulo Olazo, preeminent modernist master, from his Diaphanous series, whose recent passing surprised the art word, stand as testaments to his indomitable commitment and devotion to his craft. 

“Sin Titulo”, Fernando Zobel's stunning oil on canvas work from 1963 is one of the largest and more complex art pieces by Zobel to come out of this period. The resulting work presents a totally different approach to canvas, all the more ethereal and sophisticated. 

A pair of silver Paliteras (Palilleras) from the Suarez-Joven family of Bacolor Pampanga, harkens to bygone, halcyon era – the 1850's – of refined and elegant living. 

Capping our survey is a powerful round-up of contemporary art pieces led by Ronald Ventura with his untitled work from 2010 and a series in mixed media from 2005 and 2006. Jigger Cruz's “Wandering Carnival” signed and dated 2015 bares his trademark agitated, viscous style of deliberate defacement. 

Rodel Tapaya with his “The Fairy's Flower Garden” is a powerful narrative where his vivid renditions give to form what we ourselves imagine. 

Truly, regardless of appreciation, inclination, and persuasion, there are artworks and pieces certain to delight various collectors in our Magnificent September Auction 2015.

The Leon Gallery Magnificent September Auction 2015 will be held on September 12, 2015, Saturday, 2 PM at the G/F, Eurovilla 1, Rufino corner Legazpi Streets, Legazpi Village, Makati City. For more details, visit http://leon-gallery.com/ | info@leon-gallery.com | +632 856 2781

Some Photos : Arts & Travel Magazine